Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-22

- oo-'A A~'S1'SA a. Ad6 AGRICULTURAL
WHAT WAS SAID BY THE COMMITTEE, THE CoAMIs-
sloNER, AND sTATIsT1C1AN DODGE
The committee appointed by the recent conven-
tlon OF tobacco-warehousemen OF the South and
West 10 protest against the July report of the
Agricultural Department as to the condition OF
the growing tobacco crop called upon COmmis-
sloner Colman to-day. The committee consists of
Aessrs. Henry Glover (chairman), Otho Graves,
ana W. r Johnston, OF Louisville; kendrlck and
Smth, OF Clarksvile, Tenn; F. A. Prague, OF Gin
clnnatl; Worthington, OF Maysville, and Rags
dale, OF Hopktnsville, with Congressman Willis
as counsel
The gentlemen were received by Commissioner
COlman and
MR.. WILLIS MADE STATEMENT.
he Sald the committee, representing the entire to-
bacco interests Of the South and West, had left
their business and come on here to protest
agalnSC What ne declared was gross and glar1ng
Injustice and injury to all who are interested In
IoDacco he SAID the facts upon which the CON-
mittee made their estimates had been gathered at
great expense and solely with the purpose OF get
tobacco region the condition Of the crops was as
certained by men sent out for that purpose. From
sections the condition Of the crops was as
OF the tobacco growing sections who are
familiar with crop conditions in their respective
9ea5es Every said MI Willis
ports showed that the July report OF the Agricul-
tural department had Overwhelmingly exceeded
the actual acreage. The first report Of the ware
housemen estimated the acreage this year at 81
per cent as compared with last year, and later re-
ports cut 1t down to 80 per cent. Mr. Willis set
ne claimed had been dOne0y this exaggerated re-
port, and said the committee appealed 70 Commits
sioner oe Goiman as the responsible head OF the
department, 10 nave the error corrected.
COMMISSIONER cOLMAN SAID
that he was absent taking much needed rest
when the report was made, and personally had
nothing to do with 1t. He said 1t had been his aim
10 bring the farmers in rapport with his admin
lstrat1on. He had earnestly striven to serve and
protect the farmers. He was farmer himself,
and all his sympathtes were with that class. He
had Instructed Mr. Dodge In all his reports to hew
r 70 Inc n let the GaPs h fa where they might
ability and integrity. lie said that soon after he
0COlman) took Charge of the bureau he considered
suited with members OF Congress on the subject,
and some OF them thought change would be
beneficial, but when il came to finding compe-
tent man for the place it was very dinicult. Mr.
Dodge was recognized as OF the aOleSt StatiSti-
clans or the land. He was known as such not only
In this country but abroad. The salary, said the
commissioner, is only s., 800, and when he looked
round Tor man he found he could not get one
possessing the qualifications for less than $4,000
year. Mr.. Dodge had been In the position about
twenty years. and this was the second time his
estimates had been questioned. Once before his
cotton figures were attacked, but when the crop
was IN IL was shown his figureS were correct. For
time MI. Dodge was out doing work in the GEN.
SuS and his successor had a wretched experience.
His reports were derided ell over the country. and
he was glad to resign. Mr.. Dodge was Induced to
return, though he did so unwillingly. He did not
want the place again.
could produce any evidence OF fraud or collusion,
Or even show that from prejudice or any other
motive estimates had been wilfully falsifed he
would instantly remove Mr.. Dodge; but he (COl-
man) was satisfied nothing OF the kind could be
shown. He had implicit confidence in the tnteg-
rity OF Mr.. Dodge. Even II he had made mis-
faEp-9n honest mi haf ha croo1
cause Tor removing him. When the pr0priety Of
making achaDge was considered 1t was not based
then consulted higher authorities, and was ad.
monished that in view Of Mr.. DOdge'S wide eXpe-
rience and Well-known character 1t was better to
retain him. He had the utmost confidence In the
integrity OF the statStician, but II anything Inn
peaching that integrity could be produced Mr.
Dodge would be removed, and IL the committee
had suitable man they might present him.
Mr.. Willis said the committee had nobody to
recommend They wanted the erroneous esti-
mates corrected.
MB. DODGE APPEARS
Mr.. Dodge was sent for and presented to the
committee.
Mr.. Glover, chairman OF the committee, briefly
explained how they had procured their figures
and claimed that the estimates OF Mr.. Dodge for
July more Than doubled the actual average OF the
tobacco planted. He said the committee were not
spectators, nor did they represent spectators.
to see the figures or Correspondence upon which
Mr.. Dodge based his July report. He said their
most reliable estimates showed that SO per cent OF
the average of last year was planted this year,
much less than half OF the July estimate OF the
Department. II Mr.. Dodge had based his report
upon erroneous reports then lie must be eXoner-
ated, while his system would be condemned.
Mr.. Dodge read carefully prepared statement
In reply. He explained the method of procuring
estimates. and showed that for years his system
has produced remarkably accurate results. At
the outset he said he wanted to defend Commits
sioner Colman against accusations and tmputa-
tons That had heen cast upon him.
Mr. Willis. speaking for the committee said he
wanted to emphatica!ly deny that they had in
dulged In any criticisms or impugatiopS upOn the
Commissioner. They had given him credit for an
upright purpose. II they had not had confidence
In his Willingness to do right they would not have
gone to him.
Mr.. Dodge, resuming, said the Commissioner
was absent when the July report was made, and
did not see any OF the estimates. He said his re-
ports were received from State agents OF the De-
partment, from State boards OF agriculture and
from others. He would take pleasure In laying
before the committee the entire basis Of his JUN
report III detail He said that his reports were re-
ceiVed In June, and after that the drought set In
which had materially reduced the tobacco crop.
MI. Glover maintained that the acreage could
not have been reduced
Mr.. Dodge replied that 1t was well-known fact
that many farmers abandoned that portion OF a
growing crop which 1t was evident would not pro-
duce, ana that such abandoned acreage was elm
length his system and showed that his July report
was 0ased upon figures furnished by the agents OF
the department, and that In some inst tances he had
curta1ed the estimates OF State agents
before the hearing was concluded the delegation
adjourned Tor lunch and reaSsembled at the Agrt-
cultural Department later in the afternoon.
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